Backfiller and bulldozer



May 31, 1938. M. WOOLDRIDGE 2,119,373

BACKFILLER AND BULLDOZER Filed Sept. 15, 1955. 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V IN\YIENTOR Mac M aa/dr'id 6 BY J? ATTORNEY May 31, 1938.

M. WOOLDRID GE BACKFILLER AND BULLDOZER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1933 iNVENTOR Maia/1 h aa/ r avg ATTORNEY May 31, 1938.

M. WOOLDRIDGE 2,119,373

BACKFILLER AND BULLDQZER Filed Sept. 15, 1953 3 Sheets- Sheet 3 M 421W]? CZ 0c- 00/ mdg' 6 BY Mffim ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BACKFILLER. AND BULLDOZER poration of California Application September 15, 1933, Serial No. 689,580

15 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus commonly employed for pushing dirt, levelling, refilling trenches and wherever material is pushed ahead. Such devices are currently termed bulldozers, backfillers, scrapers, surfacers and trail builders. They are not confined to use in moving dirt, but may be employed to move any material such as snow. The present invention broadly appertains to apparatus designed to be employed for any one or more of the aforementioned purposes. More particularly the invention relates to an adjunctive unit for a tractor wherein a frame is mounted on the tractor so as to be tiltable, ,a blade to act as a plow being attached to the frame and means controllable by the operator of the device is provided to tilt the frame.

The object of this invention is to provide anapparatus as above described having any one or more of the following features:-Oscillatable beams supported by the tractor and connected to the tiltable frame whereby to raise and lower the latter; motive means to selectively operate said beams; means to independently rock said beams so as to transversely tilt said frame and to collectively move said beams with any selected transversely tilted position of said frame maintained; hydraulic transmission means to accomplish selective tilting of said frame; novel means for support of said beams on the tractor frame; and novel means of connection of said beams to said blade carrying frame.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an earth moving machine having operating means which is selectively operable to tilt transversely the blade or earth engaging member or to raise or lower the blade or earth engaging member in any transverse, horizontal, or tilted position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an earth moving machine in which raising and lowering means is provided for each end of the blade, and in which actuating means is provided whereby the raising and lowering means may be independently or simultaneously actuated at the will of the operator of the machine so that the blade may be selectively, transversely, and collectively tilted longitudinally in any transverse tilted relationship.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide an earth moving machine in which the tilting means and the operating means for the tilting means are supported by the track frames of the tractor.

These objects together with other objects contrlbuting to operation with superior facility are accomplished by means of the embodiments of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a tractor with a unit embodying my invention attached thereto; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic view of essential parts of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tractor being,

omitted; Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the relation of the tiltable frame control levers; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view partly' in section and on an enlarged scale of a fragment of the hydraulic valve mechanism employed in the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; Fig. 6 is a rear face view of the hydraulic pump and valves associated with the structure shown in Figs. 1-5; and Figs. 7 and 8 are schematic side elevational views of variations of the apparatus especially as to the oscillatable beams, operating mechanism therefor and connections to the tiltable frame.

Referring with more particularity to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, a tractor of the portable track type well known in the art is designated by A. Connected to the tractor for longitudinal and transverse tilting is a blade carrying frame B. Mounted to be rocked on the track frame of the tractor are oscillatable beams and motion multiplying devices secured to the blade carrying frame. v

This latter mechanism is designated generally by C. Hydraulic motors or jacks D are interposed between the track frame and the mechanism C. The motors form a part of a hydraulic transmission having a double pump E and valves F which are operable by a linkage having hand levers G adapted tobe conveniently disposed at the drivers seat.

Referring to the tractor A, it includes track frames l5 from which brackets 16 rise intermediate the front and rear tractor wheels. A header l'l extends longitudinally of the tractor and is secured to brackets 16. At the midportion of header I1 is a bearing block [8. An oscillatable beam I9 is pivotally mounted in bearing block 3. Pivotally supported on header I1 is a bell crank 20 having one arm secured by a link 2| to beam IS. A hanger rod 22 is secured to the end of oscillatable beam I9. The structure just described is duplicated on the other side of the tractor and to distinguish between the beams and associated parts, the reference letters a and b have been added to the reference numerals in Figs. 3 and 6.

The blade carrying frame B comprises push members 23 joined at the rear by a cross bar 24.

The push members 23 are joined at the front by a horn 24' detachably connected thereto. This horn is adapted to be interchanged with others suited to the class of work to be done. The connection of horn 24' to push members 23 is made by swivel connections indicated by 25 to allow weaving of the horn without placing undue twisting stresses on the push members when lowering or raising one corner of the blade. A landside 26 connected to one push member and blade 21 serves as a strut absorbing shocks and lessening side draft. The blade 21 and horn 24 are united by a king pin 28 by which means the blade may be adjusted from straight bulldozing position to right or left angle. The hanger rods 22 are swivelled to the horn 24'. The cross bar 22 serving as a draw bar member of the blade carrying frame is connected at 29 to the draw bar of the tractor by a pin arranged to allow blade carrying frame B to be transversely tilted when it is desired to place the blade 21 at an angle to the surface operated over.

It is obvious that rocking means for oscillating each oscillatable beam I9 independently enables transverse tilting of frame 13 and corresponding tilting of blade 21. The blade may thus be adjusted at a preselected angle relative to the surface operated over and by thereafter simultaneously operating both rocking means the frame B and its blade 21 may be tilted transversely with the transverse tilted adjustment maintained. To this end, I have provided jacks D, one for each beam I9. The jacks are hydraulic motors preferably double acting having cylinders. 30 mounted by trunnions 3| on the headers I I. The plunger rods 32 of the jacks are pivotally connected to the bell cranks 20. Suitable hydraulic piping indicated generally by 33 is provided for the cylinders and lead to valves 34 at the rear of the tractor. There is a valve 34 for each jack. Each valve is connected to a companion jack by means of the piping 33. Each valve is also connected to a liquid reservoir 35 by a T fitting having a common leg 36. The reservoir serves for supplying liquid to two pumps 31 built into a common housing. The pumps may be of the heavy duty gear type, although any suitable type of pump may be employed and the type suggested is merely illustrative. Each valve 3 comprises a multiple way plug 38 arranged as shown' in Fig. 5 to be disposed to connect either side of a jack D to the outlet of its pump for supplying pressure or to connect the pump outlet to pipe 36 and thus to the reservoir 35. The reservoir 35 is connected by a line of pipe 39 to the pump intakes. The pumps may be operated from the power plant of the tractor. v

Hydrulic power may be supplied to either or both jacks D and to either or both sides as determined by manipulation of valve plugs II. The valve plugs may be placed in neutral position as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the connected pump will deliver liquid'to reservoir 38 andtake liquid therefrom, the liquid being by-passed. In neutral position both sides of a jack D are closed by its companion valve plug and its plunger held in the position attained. At the same time the other valve for illustration a, may be manipulated to cause raising or lowering -of frame B on its side and transverse tilting of blade 21. After the blade 21 has been adjusted to its desired transverse angle, the plug of valve a is brought back to neutral position. Now by simultaneous and corresponding manipulation of the plugs of valves 34a and 34b, the blade carrying frame B may be raised or lowered unitarily as desired to effect longitudinal tilting adjustment with transverse adjustment maintained. For convenient operation of the valves, stems 40a and 401; are provided with cranks which form parts of linkage 4 la and b connected to hand levers 42a and 42b and designated generally by 42 in Fig. 1. These hand levers may be pivotally mounted on a common axis and located conveniefit for operation by the operator adjacent his seat. Referring to Fig. 4 it will be noted that the operator may group with his hand either lever 42a or Mb or both. Thus he may control operation of each jack independently or simultaneous operation of both. By operation of one lever, he may bring the blade 21 to a desired transverse angle, then restore the lever to neutral, the other lever having been disposed in neutral, and thereafter by operating both levers 42a and 4212, he may raise and lower frame B as a unit, then restore the levers to neutral and the frame B will be held in the selected position. The swivel connections generally indicated at 25 may comprise a mandrel 23' which loosely fits within a tubular bore 26' of the landside 26, the mandrel being held in position by a nut 25'.

The oscillatable beam construction enables resort to mechanical variations of the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Referring to Fig. 7, a tractor A and blade carrying frame B is shown. A front bracket 43 and a rear bracket 4 on one side of the tractor are connected by a header 45, and a similar construction is provided on the other side. oscillatable beams 46 are pivotally mounted at 41 on headers 45 intermediate the front and rear wheels of the tractor. The beams 46 are connected by hanger rods 48 to the frame B. Brackets 48 on beams 46 serve for connection .of the upper arms of toggles 50. The lower arms of the toggles are pivotally connected to brackets 43. The knees of the toggles are connected to the plunger rods of jacks 5|. By working the jacks ii the frame B may be adjusted. A type of hydraulic transmission like that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, may be used.

A further variation of the blade carrying frame is shown in Fig. 8. Oscillatable beams 52 are connected by hanger rods to frame B. Connected to each oscillatable beam 52 is the cylinder of a jack denoted by 53. The plunger rods of the jacks are pivotally secured to the front frame brackets so that the jacks 53 are directly mounted between the oscillating beams and main frame of the tractor. The method of operationis obvious, a suitable hydraulic transmission being employed.

It will be apparent that by employing oscillatable beams. suitable variation of the proportion of the arms and fulcrums and any suitable motion multiplying linkage, the frame B may be tilted over a desired angle with a minimum stroke of the jacks or motor mechanism. Such beams.

also allow transverse tilting of frames B without undue interference with the travel of the jack plungers.

Furthermore, the oscillating beams allow transmission of the load of the frames B to the main frame of the tractor so that the resultant center of load is between the front and rear wheels with most efficient poising of the machine.

What I claim is:

1. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having spaced pairs of tractor wheels for both sides with portable endless tracks passed thereover, and track frames for said tractor; a blade carrying frame embracing said tractor and connected to tlie rear thereof ,for longitudinal tilting movement; supporting brackets secured to said track frames intermediate front and rear wheels; beams rockably mounted on said brackets and connected to said blade carrying frame; power operated means interposed between a beam and one of said track frames to raise and lower said beams; and means for controlling operation of said power operated means whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted longitudinally.

2. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having track frames:

a blade carrying frame embracing said tractor and connected to the rear thereof for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; independently oscillatable beams supported on said track I transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation.

3. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having spaced pairs of tractor wheels for both sides with portable endless tracks passed thereover and track frames for said tractor: a blade carrying frame associated with said tractor and connected thereto for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; supporting brackets secured to said track frames; independently oscillatable mechanisms mounted on said brackets operatively connected to said blade carrying frame; an independently operable motor mechanism associated with each of said oscillatable mechanisms for actuating the same to raise and lower said blade; and means for independently controlling operation of said motor mechanisms for independent or simultaneous movement at the will of the operator of said machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation. I

4. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having track frames; a blade carrying frame associated with said tractor and connected thereto for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; independently oscillatable beams supported on said track frames to be rocked thereon and connected to ,said blade carrying frame; and a pump and motor transmission including a pair of independently operable hydraulic motors interposed between each beam and one of said trackframes to raise and lowersaid beams, a pair of pumps, one for each motor, and means for controlling flow of fluid from each pump to a companion motor provided with separate control means for independent or simultaneous movement at the will of the operator of said machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation.

v 5. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having track frames: a blade carrying frame associated with said tractor and connected thereto for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; independently oscillatable beams supported on said track frames to be rocked thereon and connected to said blade carrying frame; a pair of independently operable hydraulic motor mechanisms, one interposed between each beam and one of said track frames to raise and lower said beams; a pair of pumps, one for .each motor mechanism; a pair of valves, one for controlling flow of fluid from each pump to a companion motor mechanism, said valves having neutral positions; and linkage including separate control means for independent or simultaneous movement at the will of the operator .of said machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation.

6. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having spaced pairs of tractor wheels for both sides with portable endless tracks passed thereover and track frames for said tractor: a blade carrying frame embracing said tractor and connected to the rear thereof for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; supporting brackets secured to said track frames on opposite sides intermediate front and rear wheels; independently oscillatable beams mounted on said brackets to be rocked draulic motors interposed between each beam and one of said track frames to raise and lower said beams, a pair of pumps, one for each motor, and means for controlling flow of fluid from each pump to a companion motor mechanism provided with separate control means for independent or simultaneous movement at the will of the operator of said machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation.

7. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having spaced pairs of tractor Wheels for both sides with portable endless tracks passed thereover, and track frames for said tractor: a blade carrying frame embracing said tractor and connected to the rear thereof for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; supporting brackets secured to said track frames on opposite sides intermediate front and rear wheels; independently oscillatable beams mounted on said brackets to be rocked thereon and connected to said blade carrying frame; a pair of independently operable hydraulic motor mechanisms, one interposed between each beam and one of said track frames to raise and lower said beams; a pair of pumps, one for each motor mechanism; a pair of valves, one for controlling flow of fluid from each pump to a companion motor mechanism, said valves having neutral positions; and linkage including separate control means for independent .or simultaneous movement at the will of the operator of said machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation.

8. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor having spaced pairs of tractor wheels for both sides with portable endless tracks passed thereover and track frames for said tractor; a blade carrying frame embracing said tractor and connected to the rear thereof for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; supporting brackets secured to said track frames on opposite sides intermediate front and rear wheels; independently oscillatable beams mounted on said brackets to be rocked thereon; motion linkage connecting said beams to said blade carrying frame; a pair of independently operable hydraulic motor mechanisms,one interposed between each beam and one of said track frames to raise and lower said beams; a pair of pumps, one for each motor mechanism; a pair of valves, one for controlling flow of fluid from each pump to a companion motor mechanism, said valves having neutral positions; and linkage including hand levers arranged side by side for independent or simultaneous movement at the will of the operator of said machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relation.

9. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising a tractor, a blade carrying frame, means supporting said frame with relation to said tractor for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement, independently oscillatable control means for said frame supported by the tractor and connected with said blade carrying frame, independently operable actuating means, one operatively associated with each of said independently oscillatable control mechanisms whereby the blade carrying frame may be longitudinally and transversely tilted, and means for selectively controlling the operation of said actuating means to independently or simultaneously actuate the same at the will of the operator of the machine, whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relationship.

10. An earth moving machine of the class'described comprising a tractor, a blade carrying frame, means supporting said frame with relation to said tractor for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement, independently oscillatable control means for said frame supported by the tractor and connected with said blade carrying frame, independently operable actuating means.one operatively associated witheach of said independently oscillatable control mechanisms whereby the blade carrying frame may be longitudinally and transversely tilted, and means for selectively controlling the operation of said actuating means to independently or simultane- -ously actuate the same at the will of the operator of the machine, whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relationship, and whereby said blade may be maintained in said set transversely tilted relationship irrespective of its movement to various longitudinally tilted positions.

11. 'An earth moving machine of the class described comprising: a tractor; a blade carrying frame including push members extending along the sides of said tractor; connecting means for connecting the rearward part of said blade carrying frame to said tractor; a blade at the forward ends of said push members; swivel connections between said blade and the forward ends of said push members; independently oscillatable control means for said frame supported by said tractor and connected with said blade carrying frame; independently operable actuating means, one operatively associated with each of said independently oscillatable control mechanisms whereby the blade carrying frame may be longitudinally and transversely tilted; and means for selectively controlling the operation of said actuating means to independently or simultaneously actuate the same at the will of the operator of the machine whereby said blade carrying frame may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected transversely tilted relationship, thus bringing said bladeinto the desired tilted or elevational posiion.

12. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising: a tractor having track frames; a-blade carrying frame connected to said tractor for longitudinal tilting movement; beams rockably supported by said track frames and connected to said blade carrying frame; power operated means each operatively connected to one of said beams and one of said track frames to move same to raise or lower said blade carrying frame; and means for controlling the operation of said power operated means whereby said blade carryilrlig frame may be selectively tilted longitudina y.

13. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising: a tractor; an earth engaging blade; blade supporting means connected to said blade and said tractor, said blade supporting means supporting said blade for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; independently operable raising and lowering means supported by said tractor whereby said blade is raised or lowered; independently operable actuating means, one operatively associated with each of said independently operable raising and lowering means whereby said blade may be longitudinally and transversely tilted; and means for selectively controlling the operation of said actuating means to independently or simultaneously actuate same at the will of the operator of the machine, whereby said blade may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any transverse tilted relationship. i

14. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising: a tractor; an earth engaging blade; blade supporting means connected to said blade and said tractor, said blade supporting means supporting said blade for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; independently operable raising and lowering means supported by said tractor whereby said blade is raised or lowered; and means for controlling the operation of said independently operable raising and lowering means to independently or simultaneously actuate same at the will of the operator of the machine, whereby said blade may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any transverse tilted relationship.

15. An earth moving machine of the class described comprising: a tractor; an earth engaging blade; blade supporting means connected to said blade and said tractor, and supporting said blade for longitudinal and transverse tilting movement; independently operable raising and lowering means supported by said tractor whereby said blade is raised or lowered; and means for independently controlling the operation of said raising and lowering means including hand levers arranged 'side by side for independent or simultaneous operation at the will of the operator of said machine whereby said raising and lowering means may be actuated in order that said blade may be selectively tilted transversely and collectively tilted longitudinally in any selected tilted relationship.

MACK WOOLDRIDGE. 

